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Launceston General Hospital will close temporarily so the water system can be disinfected. It's expected to take four weeks and will cost more than £100,000.

Our immediate priority is to support Peninsula Community Health in the safe transfer of the small number of in-patients at Launceston in to other appropriate care setting where their needs can continue to be met. Staff have talked with families and patients and we will are working with Peninsula Community Health to ensure they have taken all possible measures to ensure public safety.

There is no reason to suspect that public, patients or staff have been exposed to a specific risk of infection as legionella requires high doses of aerosol bacteria..."

I would like to reassure patients and staff that we have taken this decisive action to ensure public safety. Whilst we acknowledge the short term disruption, we are confident that closing Launceston General Hospital for a short period of time will allow us to resolve the situation going forwards. I would like to thank the patients, families and staff involved for their cooperation and support.”

...patients are advised to attend alternative MIUs at Liskeard and Stratton Community Hospitals."